EDC2200 Indigenous Perspectives

Units :

1

Faculty or Section :

Faculty of Education

School or Department :

Education

Version produced :

30 December 2013

Synopsis

The course is built around themes with a central core based around the presentation of knowledge and experiences through Indigenous Australian perspectives and viewpoints. In so doing concepts may be presented in a manner that differs from the learner's understanding. The aim of presenting an Indigenous Australian perspective is to correct the imbalance in knowledge and understanding of Australia's history which has predominated since invasion. In the first half of the course, consideration is given to the concepts of culture, society and group and individual identity. An Indigenous Australian perspective on issues created by ignorance and misunderstandings about the sociological, technological and ideological aspects as they relate to indigenous cultures of the world, especially Australia is presented. Without knowledge of the past one cannot appreciate the present or predict the future. The second half of the course investigates particular aspects of Indigenous Australian cultures. The impact of Government policies and practices will examined with emphasis placed on having an understanding and appreciation of contemporary Indigenous Australia. With this comes the need for understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and projections for the future. Overarching the whole course is a concern to highlight the educational implications of such knowledge and to make students aware of current systemic initiatives such as the Queensland Studies Authority's Indigenous Perspectives program. NOTE: Minimum enrolment numbers apply to this offering. Should enrolments not reach the minimum number required for on-campus study, students may be transferred to the WEB offering and advised of this change before semester commences.